The yearly presidential turkey pardon, held in November, has evolved into a tradition as distinctly American as the itself. Annually, during the week of Thanksgiving, the President stands with one or two live turkeys, given amusing names such as Butter and Bread or Corn and Cob, officially sparing them from becoming part of a holiday meal.

However, the ceremony’s origins are more complex than many might assume.

Presidential photo opportunities with a turkey started annually in 1947. This was when the National Turkey Federation and Poultry and Egg National Board first presented the National Thanksgiving Turkey to President Harry Truman. Yet, as the notes, no records or evidence exist that Truman pardoned any birds.

“Truman occasionally mentioned to reporters that the turkeys he was given were intended for the family’s dinner,” his library states.

The contemporary annual tradition of the turkey pardon officially commenced over four decades later, under the George H.W. Bush Administration on November 17, 1989, according to the .

“But allow me to reassure you, and this splendid tom turkey, that he will not find his way to anyone’s dinner table, not this fellow—he is hereby granted a Presidential pardon—and will be permitted to spend his remaining days on a nearby children’s farm,” Bush Sr. declared at the time, thereby saving the turkey named Jerry.

With that act, Bush formalized a practice that had occurred sporadically among Presidents around Thanksgiving for over a century. When Presidents were frequently presented with a turkey in November, some would talk about consuming the birds, while others informally pledged to spare them.

The earliest recorded instance of a President saving a turkey during a holiday meal dates back to President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. When Lincoln received a Christmas turkey intended for the feast, his son Tad—who was only eight when he arrived at the White House with his father in 1861—reportedly interceded, having developed an affection for the bird named Jack. Lincoln, himself a passionate animal lover with in the White House, granted his son’s wish. That same year, Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national tradition to be observed on the last Thursday of November, seeking to foster unity amidst the Civil War.

President John F. Kennedy also unofficiallyin the Rose Garden on November 19, 1963, merely three days before in Dallas, Texas.

“Let’s allow him to continue living,” Kennedy remarked about the 55-pound bird, which had a sign around its neck stating “Good eating, Mr. President.” This event is considered the initial modern turkey pardon.

Over two decades subsequently, was the first President to employ the word “pardon” when sparing the turkey, Charlie, given to him, although his usage was jocular.
Reagan, at that point, was attempting to divert attention from the. When journalists questioned Reagan during the turkey ceremony if he would pardon , Reagan declined to comment but drew laughter by stating, “Had they provided me with a different response regarding Charlie and his destiny, I would have pardoned him.”